LinuxQuestions.org - [SOLVED] What does the - before the filename mean in setfacl --set-file ?

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What does the - before the filename mean in setfacl --set-file ?

For example, to copy the ACL from one file to another, the command is getfacl notes | setfacl --set-file=- notes2.

Why is there a need for the - after the = sign ?

I tried it without the -, and I got "No such file or directory" ..

Additionally, I googled and there seems to be a -f option for setfacl, but the man page doesn't state it. Anybody can shed light on this well ? Thanks alot :)

The dash tells setfacl to read from standard input, which is needed due to the pipe used.

From the setfacl man page:

Quote:

- If the file name parameter is a single dash, setfacl reads a list of files from standard input.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grtyop

Additionally, I googled and there seems to be a -f option for setfacl, but the man page doesn't state it. Anybody can shed light on this well ?

Maybe that option is only available in new(er) versions of setfacl. It isn't present in mine either (Debian Squeeze):

Code:

$ setfacl -v

setfacl 2.2.49

Holy, I totally missed that line in the man page.. My bad. Kudos.

Oh I see, thanks alot. In any case, I spotted the -f option here.